Norway’s Suzann Pettersen stormed into contention at the halfway stage of the Blue Bay LPGA with the only sub-70 round on a second day of strong winds and high scores in China.
Pettersen, who was accused of showing a lack of sportsmanship after a putt concession row at the Solheim Cup last month, fired four birdies in a three-under 69 to sit second on one-under, one off the pace.
South Korea’s Kim Sei-young was out in front after a birdie at the last gave her a level-par 72 round and a two-under 142 total on the lengthy Jian Lake Blue Bay course at Hainan Island, where blustering winds and undulating greens have proved a tough test for the field.
Kim, 22, has proven herself to be a lover of the tough windy conditions, landing two titles this year in the blustering Bahamas and gusty Hawaii.
“I like playing in the wind,” the world No. 11 said. “I like the windy weather because I’m using a lot of skills and low cut shots. Very interesting.”
Pettersen, the world No. 10 who is looking for a 16th career win, shared second with Kaohsiung-born Candie Kung (72), as well as American duo Ryann O’Toole (73) and Austin Ernst (75).
The quintet were the only players under par at the halfway stage of the US$2 million event, the penultimate leg of the Asian swing.
Overnight leader Lin Xi-yu started her second round brightly with two birdies in the first three holes to reach seven-under, but her second round unraveled with seven bogeys as she carded a 77.
That left her at level-par alongside five others, including world No. 3 Stacy Lewis (73) of the US.
World No. 1 Lydia Ko endured another tough day in China firing a three-over 75 to sit at eight-over for the championships alongside Taiwanese duo Min Lee (73) and Yani Tseng (78).
Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-ling was a hot better off on seven-over after a 75.
World No. 2 Inbee Park did not even make it onto the course yesterday, withdrawing from the field with a finger injury.
Park’s injury could hinder her chances of lifting the LPGA’s Race to the Globe title with only three more tournaments left this year.
Additional reporting by staff writer
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